Yu Hongchen, former chairman of the Chinese Athletics Association, was sentenced to 13 years in prison in the first instance. His illegal gains from accepting bribes were recovered in accordance with the law and turned over to the state treasury.
In his final statement, Yu Hongchen confessed to his criminal behavior and apologized to fans across the country. On March 26, the same day the first-instance verdict was announced, Chen Yongliang, the former deputy secretary-general of the. Chinese Football Association and former director of the National Team Management Department, was also sentenced.